The issue of discrimination against persons with visual disabilities is rarely mentioned in Cracow or the Małopolskie voivodship. As shown in the report of the Cracow Anti-Discrimination Network, the Cracovian City Hall structure does not include a unit specialising in preventing discrimination. There are no detailed, widely accessible publications concerning discrimination against the blind and/or visually impaired. The experience of persons co-operating with the organisation suggests that the blind and visually impaired frequently encounter acts of discrimination, hate speech included.
The project purpose was to empower the blind and visually impaired by engaging them in making a movie about their own discrimination-related experience. The project further intended to overcome the stereotype of the visually impaired as persons incapable of independent existence.
The project allowed for 24 blind and visually impaired persons to be included in a public debate concerning discrimination for reasons of visual disability. Workshop sessions empowered persons with visual dysfunction, preparing them for individual creative work. The film served the purpose of promoting a non-stereotype image of the blind and visually impaired.
Art (240 hours) and anti-discrimination and development workshops (120 hours) were held for blind and visually disabled persons. A full feature film (“The Dream”) comprising 5 film etudes on discrimination against persons with visual dysfunction was made. One thousand DVDs were produced, containing the project publication as well as teaching and film materials. The project closed with a conference.
Twenty-four persons with visual dysfunction attended the workshop session series. The film was shown to an audience of over 5,000, including 500 visually impaired viewers. Over 100 persons attended a project follow-up conference transmitted online.
The project partner – the Myślenice Culture and Sports Centre – provided film screening premises.